The Spiritual Fitness ManualSample

Bible Study - Part 1

By Dr. Peter A. Lillback, President, Westminster Theological Seminary 

The Bible’s Central Message is the knowledge of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible is God’s Word to mankind. God committed His message to you in written form through inspired writers.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse summarizes Jesus’ salvation message. It is the key message of the Bible. The Bible’s structure has two main parts. First, there is the Old Testament, the time when God prepared the world for Christ to come. Second, there is the New Testament. It tells of Christ’s life, teaching, work, death and resurrection, as well as the establishment and growth of the Church. The Bible provides Wisdom for all aspects of our live especially in Psalms and Proverbs. 

Are you new to the Bible? Begin by reading the Gospel of John. Also, Read the Psalms and Proverbs to find wisdom and strength for challenges in your personal and professional life. Then read the rest of the New Testament.

Here are a few hints to help you to become an effective Bible reader: 

1. Read the Bible daily - start with one chapter daily. Some find daily reading of a chapter, psalm, and a proverb to be a strong encouragement of their spiritual growth.

2. Prayer. Begin with prayer asking God’s Holy Spirit to open your mind to understanding.

3. Normal Meanings. Read the Bible in a normal manner. This means you should pay attention to the obvious meanings of words in their relationship to the words around them. Generally, the Bible itself will make it clear if the words are to be understood in a more literal or more symbolic manner.

4. Historical Context. Be aware of the Bible’s historical context. Are you reading in the Old Testament before Christ came, or in the New Testament after Christ came? Remember that the ancient Jewish world of Israel and the influence of the ancient empires around them were different. As you read, ask yourself what is still the same in the passage before you in spite of the differences of history and culture?